The building at 115 W. Prairie St. in Vicksburg was a Tastee Freeze, owned by Lynn "Butch" Shearer, in the early 1950s, Sertic said. She said the family contemplated owning a ice cream parlor as early as when Sertic and her sister attended high school.

"We kind of dreamed about it semi-seriously for years," she said. "Then the building came available and we jumped on it."

Apple Knockers opened on Sept. 11, 2009.

Today, it carries more than 50 flavors, with 26 varieties sold at one time at the counter. The ice cream is made by Plainwell Ice Cream Co. and Ashby's Ice Cream. Butter pecan is the top seller for adults, while children favor Cotton Candy, Candy Bar and Superman, Sertic said.

The interior of the parlor has a vintage feel, but with a wonderfully updated look. The comfortable outdoor patio features several seating options and excellent landscaping.

“We wanted a place for families to come, sit down and enjoy themselves,” Sertic said. “We wanted it down-home, all-American place to bring the kids.”

In addition to cones, Apple Knockers also serves shakes and malts, as well as a variety of homemade items based on family recipes.

The owners make their own cream pies, coney dog sauce, soups, chicken salad, mac-n-cheese and pasties, the Upper Peninsula staple.

The Upper Peninsula has had a big influence on Apple Knockers. The name itself is a Yooper nickname for people living below the Mackinaw Bridge that references people who picked apples by knocking them off trees so others could pick them up. It's also a slang for a "country pumpkin," Sertic said.

Sertic's brother-in-law who is from Marquette used the term when referring to the rest of the family over dinner years ago. The owners liked the term so much, they incorporated it into the business.

"We loved the name and it makes people stop and go, 'What is
that?'" Sertic said.

The same brother-in-law insisted pasties be included on the menu. They offer beef, chicken or breakfast veggie pasties. Customers can also order frozen pasties to-go.

The MLive.com crew will visit Apple Knockers at 11:30 a.m. Friday. Please swing through and try some of Apple Knockers' fine work.